Festivals

Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue The Feast of Unleavened Bread in the Bible I receive many questions about unleavened bread and the laws concerned with removing it from your homes. Interestingly, I seldom get questions inquiring as to what behaviors may be equated with leaven (sin) as individuals either begin or continue their “wilderness experience” and… Read more »

Purim Purim is the yearly festival commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people in the days of King Xerxes of Persia (called Ahasuerus in Hebrew), as described in the Biblical book of Esther. The Book of Esther, which is read in its entirety in the synagogue on Purim, tells of a Jewish girl named Hadassah,… Read more »

The Feasts & Human Childbirth “Prophecy in the Festivals of Israel” The average human pregnancy is 280 days. The ideal Jewish year (lunar) is 280 days starting at the spring equinox with the first day of Nisan. If a pregnancy started on the first day of spring, March 21st it would end on December 25th…. Read more »

I am providing the basic instructions for lighting the Chanukkah candles and the associated blessings for your learning and convenience. The kindling of the lights is the most significant ceremony of the festival. It should be observed in a spirit of reverence and solemnity in a beautiful manner. The Chanukkah candles should be kindled after… Read more »

Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue Yahshua’s Chanukkah John 10:22-23 and the Truth about Christmas 22 “Then came Chanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, 23 and Yahshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo’s Colonnade. 24 So the Judeans surrounded him and said to him, “How much longer are you going to keep us in… Read more »

Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue Service for Intermediate Shabbat of Pesach Exodus 33:12-34:26 and additional reading of the Song of Songs After Israel worshipped the golden calf, Moshe shattered the first set of tablets. Now, he ascends the mountain for a second time in order to receive a new set of tablet. He pleads for G-d’s… Read more »

Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue Special Readings for First Day of Pesach Exodus 12:21-51 Haftarah: Joshua 5:2-6:1 Although the prescribed reading starts at Exodus 12:21, we will start at the beginning of the chapter for a more inclusive examination of Pesach and the associated content in this reading. Exodus 12:1 and forward describes the Biblical mandate… Read more »

Tidbits from the Torah related to Passover Shalom, There are a couple of questions commonly asked by those who are new to the concept of Passover and the Seder. The two issues I will address today is the Tradition of not eating Rice on Passover, and the Biblical source for the mention of the… Read more »

Special Chanukkah Message from Numbers 7:1-17 There is a special portion that is read on the first day of Chanukkah found in Numbers 7:1-17. One might wonder what this passage has to do with Chanukkah after reading about offerings brought to the Tabernacle by the leaders of the 12 tribes. These offerings are identical. To… Read more »

Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue Shavuot- Festival of Weeks Other names include Yom ha Bikkurim- Festival of The Firstfruits; Hag ha Katzir- Festival of the Harvest; Atzeret- Convocation; Zeman Mattan Torahtenu- Time of the Giving of our Torah. Shavuot is one of the three festivals that entailed a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Shavuot means “weeks.” It refers… Read more »